Porlwi by Nature : enjoying Port Louis differently

After the two successful editions of Porlwi by Light, the third edition of the Porlwi festival launched on Wednesday will mesmerize you. Different from the other editions, this year’s theme is on   “Porlwi by Nature.” The decor in the capital city is allowing people to connect with its surroundings. Several sites have been reconstituted in artistic and cultural looks. Discover.

For this new edition, the organizers wanted to invest in different places, such as La Citadelle, and take on new challenges, in particular by transforming Bourbon Street into a 100% pedestrian space for 24 hours for five days, from Royal Street to Desforges Street. The Grenier and its surroundings, and Caudan, will turn into islands. Each island is linked to an incentive “Breathe, Feel and Connect. It will allow visitors to take the time to stop, to look around and to soak up the energy of the city. It is an invitation to dig deep into our emotions and to reconnect with nature.

According to director and co-founder of the Porlwi cultural initiative, Astrid Dalais, this new theme is as much festive and rich in animation for both children and adults. “Visitors can discover installations of lights, street art, street music and exhibitions; watch movies about nature; participate in workshops; taste the flavors of street food, and all on a pedestrian walkway of 30,000 m2. It is a great place to spend time with family, friends and colleagues during the day and evening,” she said. 

Persons with disabilities

Measures have been taken to facilitate access for people with disabilities. Parking in the city center will be dedicated to vehicles that have previously registered, for those who have a parking coupon for disabled or a letter bearing the stamp of the referent association. The islets are wheelchair accessible.

Porlwi App

On this festive occasion, Porlwi by Nature's mobile app and website have been launched. A mobile application Porlwi by Nature, available on iOS and Android, allows visitors to immerse themselves even more in the world of the festival by completing their experience and having all the information on this third edition. The application, free, is available for download. The website www.porlwi.com is also operational. You can find all the information useful to the festival. It is recommended to take the time to plan your trip using the mobile application or the website.

Traffic watch, the mobile application operated by Mauritius Telecom, allows real-time monitoring of the occupation of roads around Port Louis. WIFI connection is free and is available throughout the course with Mauritius Telecom.

Environment friendly

Porlwi is committed to increasing its recycling and composting capabilities. Several types of waste is being collected during the festival, including plastic, eWaste, electronics and aluminum, paper, cardboard and food waste. Many color-selective sorting bins are present throughout the journey: Blue (plastic), Yellow (eWaste, electronics, aluminum), Green (paper, cardboard, food waste) and Red (other waste). The goal is to educate the public about recycling, composting and the end of life of a waste.

Soul Inscribed present

The band is participating in this year’s Porlwi by Nature festival. Soul Inscribed is giving two free confirmed public performances at La Place du Moulin, Port Louis Waterfront, on Friday and Saturday from 20:00 – 21:00 hours.

Porlwi Kids

In light of Porlwi's advocacy of culture, art, and the various themes that make up Port Louis' identity, each new edition of the festival seeks to strengthen its inclusiveness. As festival goers draw on this occasion to create shared experiences, many come in families with children. This year, Porlwi has integrated a Young Audience component that aims - through guided tours, interesting interactions and fun activities - to fuel their creative thinking, to inspire their vision for their capital city and to think more deeply about our new theme: Nature. Children between the ages of three and 12 are invited to experience Porlwi.

 The three major axes of Porlwi Kids are: Workshops, Tours and DIY

Workshops

Artistic and ecological workshops led by artists, NGOs and professionals are being held at le Grenier as from 12:00 to 17:30 (reservation required). The workshops include:

• Plastic art
• Landart and up cycling
• Beatboxing
• mixed-media

Tours

There are guided tours through which children can discover the Grenier and its surroundings, to explore the mysterious humpback whales at the Docks, play a game which focuses on the impact of human activities on the environment at Aapravasi Ghat.
Time Slots: 01 December to 03 December: 14:00 – 15:00 – 16:00

DIY

The DIY is found all along the track and can be viewed on the mobile apps. It will be accessible on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as from 12:00 (noon) till midnight.
Street Birding: Artist Jody Jean Pierre has painted nine endemic birds of Mauritius on the walls of Port Louis. You have to find them.
The Porlwi Kids Route: Various activities and facilities have been set for the kids.

Additional information:

• Opening hours: Friday, Saturday and Sunday as from 19:00 to midnight.
• Transport: Public transport is also available with RHT, UBS, TBS, CNT and MBT. The last departures from Port Louis are scheduled at 00:30. Areas concerned are Rose Hill, Curepipe, Vacoas, Pointe aux Sables, Medine, Bamboo, St. Patrick, Reduit, Montagne Longue and Terre Rouge.
• Parking: Public parking in the city is free and shuttles scheduled at the Citadel.
• Information Kiosk: There are three Information Kiosks throughout the capital: At the beginning of the climb Sébastopol, on Bourbon Street and at the Waterfront.